Annoyed with drifting R3A rangefinder

[fbrahic]

So, the infinity focus on my R3A is out of alignment, and drifting.

I sent it in under warranty to Mack Camera, telling them specifically that it was drifting and that this was not a simple alignment problem.

Of course, all they did (in a month) was realign it and send it back to me. By the time I got it back, it had already drifted way out of alignment.

What to do? I hear this is a common problem with the Bessas...

I love everything else about this camera, but I don't think I can handle having to constantly send it back in for adjustment, and I have no faith that it'll ever get fixed properly. I just wish I hadn't bought the camera, and splurged on a used Leica instead. Also, I can't conscientiously sell this camera to anyone, even though it's practically new.

:bang:

 

[netzspannung]

An easy fix seems to be as follows: adjust the RF yourself carefully, then cover the adjustment screws with nail varnish - prevents drifting off. I have the instructions for alignment, borrowed from some web site, might email them to you but I havent tried them myself.

 

[CameraQuest]

Voigtlander Warranty Repairs

Voigtlander Warranty Repairs

The internet is a wonderful place to share info, but sometimes it gives only part of the picture.

Cosina Voigtlander Warranty repairs for any reason on the Bessa R2A / R3A is less than 1%. Yet some Voigtlander owners with a repair problem over react fearing non existent "chronic" problems.

If you have a Mack Warranty on a Voigtlander camera bought in the US, you bought a grey market camera. In the US, only Voigtlander USA distributors (CameraQuest and PhotoVillage) have access to Cosina parts and repair info for our repair techs. Without that access, non Cosina authorized repair shops may understandably have difficulty repairing Cosina Voigtlander products. We only repair USA Cosina products under warranty. We charge repair fees for grey market products.

Stephen Gandy

 

[Buze]

It's all very nice, but it doesn't solve his problem. As far as I know, this is a user forum where we can get fellow users opinion and help, not a vendor forum where we get scolded for not buying in the right place and paying the right commission to the right people.

This is not a R3A copy he has. Anyone of us with a Cosina camera out of warranty would face the same problem to get the camera fixed without having to pay the middlemen...

Not that I have anything against you Stephen of course, but that comment of yours is totaly unhelpful to this particular topic. If you want to go against the gray importers, this is not the place to do so... I you have (as I'm sure you do) super technical insight as how to get the technical problem on hand fixed and help all the other owners (and second, third hand owners and descendants) I'd be delighted to hear about it !

 

[CameraQuest]

Not that I have anything against you Stephen of course, but that comment of yours is totaly unhelpful to this particular topic. !

I disagree. There is nothing wrong with grey market cameras, just so long as the buyer understands the repair situation of that particular product. For instance, apparently Nikon USA won't repair grey market under warranty or for a fee -- effectively killing grey market digital imports for most potential US Nikon buyers.

The guy who needs his RF aligned did not know non authorized repair shops may have a hard time repairing Bessas. It may be too late for him, but I would bet that's valuable info for future Voigtlander owners. The situation is made worse by some sellers who don't bother to tell their customers it's a grey market camera.

Sending the camera back to Mack and hoping they get it right is probably the first choice, since it will only cost him shipping. 2nd choice is probably adjusting it himself, various directions can be found with Google. But some newbie camera repair people have difficulty getting it right, or even damage their camera trying. If that doesn't work, there is always paying to have it adjusted.

Stephen Gandy

 

[fbrahic]

Thanks...

Thanks...

...for your advice so far guys.

Stephen - I have nothing against you or your website, but when I bought the camera I had the choice in between a reliable company, that I know and trust (B&H), and some guy out on the web with a homemade website.

Now I know that you'd probably be better able to handle warranty issues on this camera, but at the time B&H seemed like a clear choice.

I'm not screwed yet. I'm going to call Mack Cam tomorrow and see if we can work things out. Their warranty claims that if they can't repair a problem, they'll replace the camera with a new one, or cash value. I might just go for the cash and buy a decent Leica M6 off ebay.

I'm just frustrated that a brand new camera could be defecti

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Cosina Voigtlander Warranty repairs for any reason on the Bessa R2A / R3A is less than 1%. Yet some Voigtlander owners with a repair problem over react fearing non existent "chronic" problems.

I think this is the important part of Stephen's post.

 

[Fred]

fbrahic, sorry to hear about your problem with the new Bessa, it really does stuff the confidence in an item when it comes back from a warranty repair still with a problem.

The bottom line is that you either push for a refund or send it off to someone else like Stephen to fix the problem. The fact is though the Bessas are fantastic cameras but like all machines there are a few that have problems. Good luck with whatever you decide. An M6 is a good alternative but no AE and extra weight, a very different animal to use also.

 

[Bill58]

My impression from 'net comments (CVUG, RFF) is that the CV lenses are quite good/ reliable, but too often the cameras (even the latest versions) have problems--inherent design or mfg. defects/ flaws.

Comments?

 

[goo0h]

My impression from 'net comments (CVUG, RFF) is that the CV lenses are quite good/ reliable, but too often the cameras (even the latest versions) have problems--inherent design or mfg. defects/ flaws.

People are lazy. In general they're only going to speak up if they have something to rant about. You will always see a disproportionate amount of complaints vrs praise, unfortunately. Not saying there could be issues with the CV cameras, but you have to view things carefully.

I hope there are no issues. My bran new R3A just arrived! 🙂 Thanks, Stephen, for speedy delivery! The NOS case is beautiful.

 

[Jokutya]

Pardon me for this totally lame, newbie question (coming from an SLR world) but is this the same thing as when the little focus box in the viewfinder slightly drifts up- and sideways as you increase the focusing distance? I just noticed my Bessa R2A doing it (I have shot three rolls so far and the results are fantastic) or is that just normal parallax correction?

Thanks,
Drew

 

[Solinar]

Drew, the little box is the frame lines and they do drift up or down as you focus.

 

[Jokutya]

Thanks, Andrew. I thought as much.

I also noticed this infinity focusing problem now that I read about it here. Does this affect the rest of the focusing spectrum or is it just a quirk at the far end? I went back to my photos and they seemed to be in focus - but then, I have no extensive experience yet with RFs and maybe they could be sharper.

Can this be because I need slightly stronger prescription glasses (which I think I do).

The problem is tiny and seems to be slightly worse with the 75mm lense. The 40mm just needs a tiny bit of adjustment.

Drew

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

The focus patch stays still, and the framelines move a tiny bit to correct for parallax as focusing distance changes. So the focus patch may be off-center by a small amount at various focusing distances. It's a good system and it works well.

Japanese companies build it right first time. Think Lexus. Don't worry, use the camera the way it was designed to be used.

 

[Jokutya]

Jon:

Exactly my thoughts. That's why I traded my BMW for a Subaru and could not be happier... And that's why I want to make sure that this infinity focusing is a non-issue.

Drew

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Drew:

Find something a kilometre or so distant. I use a flagpole nearby because it's easy to snap into focus. 1km is 'infinity' as far as camera optics are concerned.

Focus on your object, then look at the distance scale on the lens and see if it's at infinity - it should be.

Then take a few photographs of the object. And repeat with all your lenses. Get them developed and printed and give them a really careful inspection.

At the same time do the same with your SLR, if you still have it, and compare side by side.

 

[Solinar]

I'll second the recommendation on using a distant object which is big, such as a well lit building that stands out from the landscape, when checking the alignment of the RF patch at infinity. Also, I'm truly sorry to hear that your Bessa R3a has a service issue. If it was my camera, I'd send it to Steve at CameraQuest and pay to have it serviced.

I know I'm hijacking the thread, but here goes and the apples to oranges analogy really does apply. It all to easy to fall into the rut of making direct comparisons of V/C gear to Leica during its Wetzlar hey day.

I do it by comparing my Bessa R, (purchased off a fellow forum member), with my Leicas. Yes, the Bessa comes up short with regards to build quality. My main grip is that the modified SLR shutter assembly sounds more than a bit harsh and then there are the plasticky components.

Knock on wood, I haven't had any service issues with the Bessa R and it has some user carelessness scratches, courtesy of me. I can honestly say that plastic doesn't dent when banged into something and the camera has held up well to two years of semi-abuse.

The C/V lenses get better marks with regards to build quality. I have two lenses that I bought from Steve at Cameraquest, a 35/2.5 Skopar and a 75/2.5 Heliar. Yea, they come up a bit short of the build on a old Wetzlar Leitz or Canon screw mount lens, but, I have no complaint with either lens.

Here is the main point to this off-topic ramble - Lately, when I compare my Bessar R and my two C/V lenses, to the Nikon DSLR entry level gear I just purchased, the Nikon gear comes up more than a bit short with regards to the build quality.

I have a Nikon D50 body and couple of Nikkor primes which have outer barrel assemblies made of polycarbonate, one of which has a plastic filter mount, too.

Let me say that Nikon's pro-gear looks and feels much better to what I'm using, but is three times the price.

 

[Jokutya]

Thanks guys. Actually, I'm not sure if this is a service issue or a convenience issue. If the infinity focusing does not affect the rest of the spectrum (i.e., close-up photos still turn out sharp, as it seems to be the case) I could live with the misalignment - especially since it's not the vertical, but the horizontal adjustment that is ever so slightly out of whack. Most posts here conern the vertical issue.

I'll certainly try what Jon is suggesting but I was kinda hoping others have already been there, done that, and came up with an easy explanation/fix. 😉

Drew